China

CHAPTER 8: CHINA AND THE WORLD (500–1300)

I. Reemergence of a Unified China

 Sui Dynasty (589–618): Reunified China post-Han chaos. Built Grand Canal (linked N & S economies), but harsh military campaigns led to overthrow.

 Tang (618–907) & Song (960–1279): Golden age of arts + scholarship.

 Restored civil service exam system & bureaucracy.

 Economic Revolution: Rapid population growth (50M -> 120M) due to Champa rice from Vietnam.

 Massive urbanization (Hangzhou = huge commercial hub), paper money, industrial growth (iron/coal).

 Inventions: Gunpowder, movable type printing, magnetic compass.

 Women: Patriarchy tightened in Song era; spread of foot binding to show status/control.

II. China and the Northern Nomads: A Tribute System in Practice

 Imperial theory: China as "Middle Kingdom," superior to outside "barbarians."

 Tribute system: Foreigners gave gifts + did kowtow (bowing ritual) to trade w/ China.

 Reality: Steppe nomads (Xiongnu, Uighurs) were powerful. China often paid them huge "gifts" (bribes of silk/grain) to keep them from invading.

III. Coping with China: Comparing Korea, Vietnam, and Japan

 Korea: Tributary status. Adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, govt style, but kept original culture (developed Hangul alphabet).

 Vietnam: Ruled by China for 1,000 yrs. Adopted Confucian exams + Buddhism, but maintained distinct culture & higher status for women.

 Japan: Voluntary borrowing (separated by sea). Adopted Buddhism & Chinese court styles early on. Later decentralized into feudalism -> Samurai warrior class & Bushido code.

IV. China and the Eurasian World Economy

 China's tech (paper, printing, gunpowder) spread across Silk Roads / Indian Ocean routes.

 China also influenced by outside world (cotton/sugar from India, Islam via sea trade).

V. China and Buddhism

 Silk Road trade brought Buddhism to China. Spread rapidly after Han collapse (offered comfort).

 Sui/Tang: Supported by emperors (Monasteries grew wealthy/tax-free).

 Backlash: Late Tang state began suppressing Buddhism (seen as foreign, untaxed, anti-Confucian). Retained hold alongside Neo-Confucianism.

CHAPTER 9: THE WORLD OF ISLAM (600–1500)

I. Birth of a New Religion

 Context: Arabian Peninsula, tribal conflicts, trade hubs (Mecca/Kaaba).

 Muhammad (570–632): Revelations recorded in Quran. Monotheistic (Allah).

 Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer (5x/day), Almsgiving, Fasting (Ramadan), Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

 Created Umma: Unified community of believers replacing tribal ties.

II. The Making of an Arab Empire

 Expansion: Rapid military expansion across Middle East, N. Africa, Spain.

 Sunni vs. Shia Split: Major division over who should succeed Muhammad.

 Sunni: Caliphs chosen by community leaders.

 Shia: Leadership must come from Muhammad’s bloodline (Ali).

 Umayyad Caliphate (618–750): Arab-dominated, capital in Damascus, rapid expansion.

 Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258): Capital in Baghdad, Golden Age of scholarship/trade, non-Arabs gained power. Ended by Mongol siege (1258).

III. Islam and Cultural Encounters

 India: Turkic invaders brought Islam; established Delhi Sultanate. ~20% converted (mostly lower-caste Hindus/Buddhists).

 Anatolia (Turkey): Mass conversion (~90%) due to local displacement; set stage for Ottoman Empire.

 West Africa: Spread peacefully via Trans-Saharan trade; adopted by elites/urban centers (Mali, Mansa Musa).

 Spain (Al-Andalus): Harmony between Muslims, Christians, Jews before Christian Reconquista expelled Muslims/Jews.

IV. The World of Islam as a New Civilization

 Network of Trade: Connected Afro-Eurasia. Islamic Green Revolution (spread citrus, sugar, cotton, new irrigation).

 Scholarship: Built Madrasas (colleges); translated/preserved Greek, Indian, Persian texts. Advances in algebra, medicine, optics.